50 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 
the comparatively excessive escape of gas at the cone 
and vent of a muzzle-loader endanger its safety ? and 
will the “trying vibration ” of one cartridge affect 
‘the strength of another not in the barrel at the time? 
“7, The time and trouble required in filling the 
cartridges, and the danger attending that operation 
before going out shooting, are very considerable ; 
and it is with one peculiar form of cartridge only 
that the breech-loader can be used; and if purchased 
of the gun-maker ready filled, they come very expen- 
sive.” 
This paragraph is unanswerable; as no source of 
danger in loading the cartridges is specified, the wri- 
ter is at a loss to know what is meant—there being, in 
his experience, no danger whatever. As for the 
trouble, it is far less than that of loading the gun. 
“8. The operation of making and filling the car- 
tridge is to a sportsman a tedious, dirty, dangerous, 
and laborious one—quite as much so as making fire- 
works.” 
This may be true of making the cartridges, which 
no sportsman ever thinks of doing more than he 
would of making percussion-caps, which is a far 
more dangerous employment. The filling them is 
identically the same as loading a gun, omitting cap- 
ping, but without its dirt or danger. If loading a 
gun is akin to making fireworks, so may be loading 
cartridges. In fact, using cartridges is merely load- 
ing at a convenient season expeditiously, and may 
be done to the extent of thousands without soiling 
the hands. 
